Sumburgh Head Lighthouse Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve is open for the 2024 season. Come along and experience our world class visitor attraction, providing an engaging and interactive experience for the whole family. Visit, and explore the history and natural heritage of Sumburgh Head from early geological beginnings and Iron Age settlers to Lighthouse Keepers, Whales, Puffins and much more.
The best time to visit Sumburgh Head Lighthouse seems to be the end May / early June. We hit it just right. We were hoping to see Puffins. Were we surprised. There were loads of them, maybe 20 pairs on the cliff tops up to the lighthouse. Their burrows were not that far from the path either. We got some amazing pictures of the puffins (and one or two of the lighthouse). We spent a couple of hours just watching the puffins. They are so amazing to see in the wild. Just the way they fly and run around the clifftop. If you want to see puffins this is the place to go. I would certainly recommend visiting here just for the views and the walks, but the wildlife makes it a really unique place to visit. It's also an easy drive from Lerwick.
We visited in August right after getting off the plane. Beautiful views of the cliffs and you can see out to the Fair Isle. Even this late in season a few puffins hanging on, which surprised and pleased us. I can only imagine how many birds there must be in the mating season! Still plenty of other birds hanging around close to the cliffs. The staff in the shop were friendly and helpful.
The place is very beautiful. I took a direct bus from Lerwick to get there. First, I visited the archaeological site and then hiked to the lighthouse. The views are stunning, and I saw many puffins. The trail is of moderate difficulty and requires some stamina, but it's well worth it.
Very beautiful lighthouse and fog horn with views into the North Atlantic Ocean. Journey by bus from Lerwick takes about 1.5h, alight at the Sumburgh Hotel Gate. There are 1 ways to get there. On a fair day, the coastal walk is highly recommended.
Stunning views, can sight Fair Isle on a clear day a top the foghorn. Great to see so many puffins. Wonderful spot, worth the visit and plse donate to maintain the services provided
So a big part of the site is the story (and physical plant) of the lighthouse, including a delightful fog horn. That's all cool. Equally important, though, are the cliff sides you hike a long, and the sea birds present there. Amazing stuff here, including the fan favorite puffins. It's a long and twisty road to the car park, and a very steep trail/road to the lighthouse, but it's definitely worth it for the photography opportunities.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good for kids
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The best time to visit Sumburgh Head Lighthouse seems to be the end May / early June. We hit it just right. We were hoping to see Puffins. Were we surprised. There were loads of them, maybe 20 pairs on the cliff tops up to the lighthouse. Their burrows were not that far from the path either. We got some amazing pictures of the puffins (and one or two of the lighthouse). We spent a couple of hours just watching the puffins. They are so amazing to see in the wild. Just the way they fly and run around the clifftop. If you want to see puffins this is the place to go. I would certainly recommend visiting here just for the views and the walks, but the wildlife makes it a really unique place to visit. It's also an easy drive from Lerwick.
We visited in August right after getting off the plane. Beautiful views of the cliffs and you can see out to the Fair Isle. Even this late in season a few puffins hanging on, which surprised and pleased us. I can only imagine how many birds there must be in the mating season! Still plenty of other birds hanging around close to the cliffs. The staff in the shop were friendly and helpful.
The place is very beautiful. I took a direct bus from Lerwick to get there. First, I visited the archaeological site and then hiked to the lighthouse. The views are stunning, and I saw many puffins. The trail is of moderate difficulty and requires some stamina, but it's well worth it.
Very beautiful lighthouse and fog horn with views into the North Atlantic Ocean. Journey by bus from Lerwick takes about 1.5h, alight at the Sumburgh Hotel Gate. There are 1 ways to get there. On a fair day, the coastal walk is highly recommended.
Stunning views, can sight Fair Isle on a clear day a top the foghorn. Great to see so many puffins. Wonderful spot, worth the visit and plse donate to maintain the services provided
So a big part of the site is the story (and physical plant) of the lighthouse, including a delightful fog horn. That's all cool. Equally important, though, are the cliff sides you hike a long, and the sea birds present there. Amazing stuff here, including the fan favorite puffins. It's a long and twisty road to the car park, and a very steep trail/road to the lighthouse, but it's definitely worth it for the photography opportunities.
